Summer 2022 Theatre Season

Professional theatre experience is extremely vital to a student's success after graduation. St. Ambrose University theatre students recognize this and thankfully, the Theatre Department staff is always there to lend a hand to those looking for performance and technical opportunities outside of the Galvin Fine Arts Center.

Because of this dedication from both students and staff, the Theatre Department is fortunate to have several students working or participating in theatre this summer. Check out their plans below and if you're in their neck of the woods, or want to take a little road trip, click the ticket links at the bottom of each person to visit them!

Caroline Sieren, First-Year

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be performing in Quad City Music Guild's productions of Something Rotten, along with choreographing Camp Rock: The Musical Jr. and Carrie: The Musical at Double Threat Studios.

How did you get this gig?
Stephanie DeLacy '09, who I adore, is directing and choreographing Something Rotten, and she encouraged me to audition. Megan Warren, owner of Double Threat Studios, has been my voice teacher for almost two years, and she asked me to work alongside her for the summer. Megan has helped me grow so much throughout the years, and I am so excited to work with her!

How long is this project of yours?
I will be working all summer! I start Something Rotten rehearsals right after St. Ambrose University's production of Little Women, and I will start the other two shows in June and July.

What are you most excited for?
I am most excited to teach young people about drama and how amazing it can be. I can't wait to share my talents to help these kids grow.

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing?
I say go for it! Start talking to theatre professionals and companies to see what you can do to get involved! Also, AUDITION FOR SHOWS! Or if you don't like being on stage, see if people need any technical help. It's always worth asking!

Click the links below to keep up with Seiren's summer season:
QC Music Guild, Something Rotten
Double Threat Studios, Legally Blonde

Quinnie Rodman, Junior

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be an acting intern at St. Croix Theater Festival in St. Croix Falls, Wisc. I have been cast as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mustardseed/Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I will be props designing for The Nerd. In addition, I will be involved in their Arts In Education Program where I will help teach children's acting camps.

How did you get this gig?
I came about applying for this internship because Dr. Cory Johnson told me about it. Several SAU alumni have worked there and have had great experiences so she highly recommended that I send in an audition and application.

How long is this project of yours?
My contract dates are May 15-August 21 so I am booked for the whole summer!

What are you most excited for?
I am the most excited to meet new people and be able to finally put a professional theatre credit on my resume! This is my first paid acting job, and I am beyond excited for this opportunity.

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing?
My advice is something my friend Bethany Anderson taught me: "Rejection is redirection". I applied for so many theatre jobs this summer and got rejected from a lot of them. It just takes that one person to say yes and it can be a game changer for you and your career.

Keep up with Rodman's summer season

Peyton Reese, Junior

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be playing Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji, Minn. After that, I will be traveling to Minot Summer Theatre in Minot, ND, where I was cast as Charlotte Hay in Moon Over Buffalo, a member of the ensemble in The Sound of Music, and as the Assistant Stage Manager for The Sound of Music.

How did you get this gig?
I received my Paul Bunyan Playhouse offer through doing the professional auditions at KCACTF this year. Cory [Johnson] later told me about the Minot Summer Theatre application, and I was very pleased to audition and receive an offer!

How long is this project of yours?
My Paul Bunyan Playhouse contract goes from May 23-June 11 and the Minot Summer Theatre contract is June 13-August 6. I will be back with just enough time to breathe before the fall semester!

What are you most excited for?
I am so excited to meet new people and do theatre in a new environment. However, I am also very excited to be at Paul Bunyan Playhouse with my friend Luke Peterson '21! It will be nice to acclimate to a new theatre environment while also having a familiar and friendly face around!

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing?
You have to do some research in order to see what opportunities are out there for the taking. From there, audition for everything! The more auditions you put out there, the more likely it is you'll receive an offer. Try not to get discouraged through the process. Have faith in yourself and keep trying!

Click the links below to keep up with Reese's summer season:
Paul Bunyan Playhouse
Minot Summer Theatre

First-Year Julia Beltz

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be performing in Shrek the Musical with the Fox Valley Park District in Aurora, Illinois.

How did you get this gig?
I have been in performances in the park district during my childhood and wanted to come back to work with the staff and actors again!

How long is this project of yours?
I will audition May 31 and perform the show July 22-24.

What are you most excited for?
I am most excited to be working with such a big cast! There will be a variety of people auditioning, from children in kindergarten to the parents of those kids! The age range is so wide, so the possibilities of the actors who will perform in the show are endless!

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing?
Be open to all possibilities! You never know what role you could be in a show or how you could help the show be the best that it can be! Allowing the directors to put a show together is such a beautiful process to watch, and allowing yourself to be accepting of this process is very rewarding.

Keep up with Beltz's summer season

Senior Kyle DeFauw

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be playing the Beast in Beauty and the Beast at the Circa 21' Dinner Playhouse.

How did you get this gig?
Cory [Johnson] received a call back in October from the owner and asked if she knew anyone that might be interested. She talked with me and I sent in my audition that day. I received notice in March that they wanted more to look at. A few weeks later, I was offered the role.

How long is this project of yours?
I begin rehearsals right after Little Women closes. The show will then run May 16t-July 19.

What are you most excited for?
I am excited to become a character I never thought I would play. On top of that, I am looking forward to seeing all the kiddos in their costumes when they come to see the show.

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing?
When doors open, walk through them. It is easier said than done, but they have opened for a reason. Take a chance.

Keep up with DeFauw's summer season at Circa

Senior Joseph Lasher

What will you be doing this summer?
I will be in Something Rotten! at Music Guild playing Nigel Bottom, and I will be doing an internship at Open Jar Studios in New York City.

How did you get this gig?
I was encouraged to send in an audition tape for Music Guild, and I applied for the internship!

How long is this project of yours?
Something Rotten! performs the second and third weekends of June, and then I'm heading out to New York City the weekend after that which goes until mid-August!

What are you most excited for?
I am very excited to strengthen my tapping skills in Something Rotten!, and I'm excited to make new connections during my internship. It will be very cool to get a sense of what it's like living in New York City.

Any advice to people who want to do what you're doing? Apply and audition for everything that peaks your interest, always try to do your best, and of course always be yourself in any audition or interview!

Keep up with Lasher's summer season with the Music Guild

The SAU Theatre Department is extremely proud of these students for securing these jobs, especially since professional theatre work is difficult to obtain. Have fun and break a leg this summer!